Beautiful boy

~1~

Toshio found himself seated on a worn-out chair, surrounded by the dim glow of a single flickering candle. The room held an air of nostalgia, filled with the scent of old paper and ink. Before him lay a collection of weathered notebooks, each page carrying the weight of memories and musings from years long past.His older brother, Kazuo, a samurai and skilled medic, was currently on a mission. Toshio's mind wandered back to the times when their days were filled with laughter, warmth, and the comforting presence of their older sister, Kiyoko. However, those days seemed like a distant dream now.Kiyoki's untimely departure left an indelible mark on the Saito family. In the wake of her passing, Kazuo, despite his gruff exterior, took it upon himself to find Toshio, who had distanced himself from the world. The bond between the two brothers, tested by time and life's trials, was about to face yet another challenge.

The sliding door creaked open, interrupting Toshio's trance. A tall figure entered the room, his silhouette partially illuminated by the soft glow of the candlelight. Kiyoshi, with his distinctive half-ponytail and piercing brown eyes, bore the weariness of a man who had faced both physical and emotional battles."I have injured my hand," Kiyoshi's voice cut through the silence, carrying a command more than a request. Toshio rose from his seat, acknowledging his unspoken need for assistance. Guiding Kiyoshi to a nearby chair, Toshio headed to a modest cupboard, a repository of remedies and bandages accumulated over the years.

As Toshio unraveled the bandages, the room was filled with a palpable tension. The silence, a familiar companion in their household, was momentarily broken when the wounded man spoke, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity, 

"Who are you? I have never seen you before." 

Toshio, with the familiarity of a rehearsed script, responded, "I'm Toshio Saito, Kazuo's younger brother." However, the mention of their familial connection triggered a pointed observation from the injured stranger, "But you and Saito don't look like each other."

The explanation flowed effortlessly from Toshio's lips, "Half-brother. We had the same father. I inherited most of my features from my mother, who, like me, had white hair and black eyes. She passed away, so I stay here."Kiyoshi, with his enigmatic demeanor, nodded in acknowledgment. The wounded man, now identified as Kiyoshi Suwa, remained a mystery. Toshio, sensing an opportunity for connection, gently probed,

 "Show me where you got the scar." Kiyoshi extended his injured hand, marked by a deep cut. Toshio, recognizing the severity of the wound, reached for the medicine and cotton stored in the cupboard.

During the quiet moments of tending to Kiyoshi's injury, a subtle exchange of glances and unspoken words transpired. The silence lingered until Toshio, breaking the ice, asked, 

"And you are? I can't keep calling you samurai. There are a lot of them here."

Kiysohi, replied, "Kiyoshi Suwa." Kiyoshi's eyes, tinged with red, revealed a person who had known the weight of tears. Intrigued, Toshio ventured into the emotional territory, 

"Do you cry a lot, Suwa-san?" The question met with a vehement denial, left Toshio puzzled. Kiyoshi's eyes, strong and brave, contradicted the words spoken.

As Toshio wrapped up the bandage, Kiyoshi, expressing gratitude, bowed his head. Toshio reciprocated the gesture, their interaction a dance of unspoken emotions. As Kiyoshi prepared to leave, Toshio extended a hand, a silent invitation for a handshake. The hesitant acceptance spoke volumes – calloused hands meeting in a transient connection.The night descended, and Toshio retreated to his room, leaving the echoes of the encounter lingering in the air. The routine of cleaning, organizing, and reflection occupied his thoughts. Little did he know that the night held more surprises for him.

A sudden knock on his door broke the silence, revealing a tall figure with sharp red eyes – Kazuo, the older brother. A soft smile played on Kazuo's lips as he greeted, "Ani." Toshio, always respectful, inquired about Kazuo's travels, prompting a calm exchange between the brothers.

The mundane act of sharing a meal transformed into a moment of revelation. Kazuo, with a rare vulnerability, confessed, "It was well, Toshio. The demon was strong, but I was able to kill it. Did you have Dinner yet?" 

Toshio, shaking his head, implied a negative response. Kazuo, in a gesture of affection, patted Toshio's head, suggesting a familial connection that went beyond words.

The conversation took an unexpected turn as Kazuo laid bare a request that left Toshio momentarily stunned. "Toshio... I need you to do me a favor." The air thickened with anticipation, and Toshio, his mind racing, braced himself for what was to come.Kazuo, usually reserved and stoic, revealed a side that Toshio seldom witnessed. "I've seen you talk to Kiyoshi today. I'm glad to see him talking, but the thing about him is that he's often so quiet. So, what I want you to do is..." 

Kazuo hesitated, grappling with unspoken emotions. Placing the bowl of rice on the table, he continued, 

"I want you to stay with him for a while."

Toshio, caught in the ebb and flow of conflicting emotions, sat in contemplation. The prospect of moving in with Kiyoshi was met with hesitation and uncertainty. It felt like standing at the threshold of a new chapter, uncertain of what lay beyond. The room, once filled with the clinking of chopsticks, now echoed with the weight of unspoken words."Please... I'm asking you... a simple favor," 

Kazuo implored, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and hope. Toshio, torn between the desire to honor his brother's request and the uncertainty of the unknown, remained seated, grappling with his internal struggle.

Toshio's gaze wandered to his brother's face, searching for clues in the depths of Kazuo's eyes. The silent negotiation between the two continued, a subtle dance of understanding that transcended verbal communication. Finally, Toshio, swayed by a mix of familial duty and a desire to bridge the emotional gap, uttered a tentative agreement, 

"Sure... why not? Besides, I would love to know him better."

Kazuo's expression softened, a rare smile playing on his lips. Gratitude and relief washed over him as he thanked Toshio for his willingness to take on the responsibility. The room once enveloped in a tense atmosphere, now bore witness to a moment of connection between the two brothers."Thank you, Toshio. You have been a great help," Kazuo acknowledged

On this quiet night, Toshio found himself deep in thought, unable to find rest. The memory of his brother Kazuo's rare genuine smile lingered in his mind, casting a warm glow on his otherwise restless thoughts. Seeking solace, Toshio decided to open his window, letting in the cool night air to help clear his mind.

Earlier, Kazuo had asked Toshio to spend time with someone named Kiyoshi. While it seemed like a simple request, Toshio sensed the weight of familial expectations and the potential for a meaningful connection. Contemplating this decision, Toshio considered the allure of a drink, but his brother's protective measures, hiding the sake to preserve his health, gave him pause.Standing by the window, Toshio reflected on the dilemma of making his brother proud and stepping into the unknown with Kiyoshi. The night air provided a soothing backdrop to his contemplation, offering a sense of clarity and perspective.As the room embraced the quietude of the night, Toshio's internal struggle began to ease. Wrapped in a cozy blanket, he succumbed to sleep's gentle pull. The moon outside, a silent companion, watched over him as he entered a realm of dreams, where the complexities of choices and the promise of new connections awaited.With the dawn, a fresh day would unfold, bringing opportunities for Toshio to navigate the challenges and perhaps forge a friendship with Kiyoshi. The night had served as a canvas for reflection and feeling, preparing Toshio for the dreams that would pave the way for a new beginning.